Airbus delivers very first A350 XWB to Qatar Airways
Above: His Excellency, Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways, Group Chief Executive Officer (centre), Fabrice Brégier, Airbus, President and Chief Executive (left), and Tony Wood, Rolls-Royce, President - Aerospace (right), attended a formal aircraft handover ceremony at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.
The A350 XWB incorporates advanced technologies and breakthrough innovations in aerodynamics, light-weight materials and aircraft systems. Powered by ultra-fuel-efficient and very quiet Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and an extra-wide cabin, it provides high levels of operating efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO said: “Handing over the first A350 XWB represents a significant step in Airbus and aviation history. The A350 XWB becomes the most modern aircraft in service, developed with our excellence established over 45 years in meeting our customers’ needs. The A350 XWB is the latest Airbus aircraft to join the skies, revolutionising our industry and redefining the way people fly.
“It is with tremendous pride that we are delivering our first A350 XWB today to our launch customer, Qatar Airways. It’s a perfect match, to be handing over the first of an all-new, world class aircraft to a leading, world class airline.”
The Trent XWB, the sole power plant available for the Airbus A350 XWB, is the world's most efficient large civil aero engine. More than 1,500 engines have already been sold to 40 customers and sales of the Trent XWB account for over half of the Rolls-Royce civil aerospace order book. The engine is expected to be in service for many years, creating an annuity of aftermarket services that will generate revenues for decades to come. The A350 XWB delivers a 25% fuel burn improvement compared to previous generation aircraft.
John Rishton, Rolls-Royce, Chief Executive Officer said: “We are very proud to have worked with Qatar Airways and Airbus on the A350 XWB, using the latest technology to deliver new standards in customer service. This is a very important day for everyone at Rolls-Royce. It is the culmination of years of hard work and the start of a new chapter for our business.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Receiving the A350 XWB as global launch customer is a very proud moment for Qatar Airways and after much anticipation, I am delighted that the day has come when we will welcome this latest generation aircraft into our rapidly expanding fleet.
“In the seven years since we first placed our order for this new aircraft type at the Paris Air Show, investing in a partnership programme with Airbus, there has been significant growth in the airline industry. I am confident that this increase in passenger numbers around the world will only increase further in the years to come and delighted that Qatar Airways will be leading the way in the aviation sector in offering our passengers the opportunity to travel on board the most modern of airliners in the sky.”
